Stiegwardt was most recently the assistant men’s and women’s tennis coach at Virginia Commonwealth University for the last two years, but is not a stranger to the Southeastern Conference. Stiegwardt spent his first two collegiate years as a player at the University of Florida from 2005 to 2007.

“I couldnt be more excited to be at Auburn working with Coach Shore,” Stiegwardt said. “He is one of the most respected coaches in the country and he knows how to win the right way. Having played in the SEC I have always wanted to coach in this conference, and I know Auburn is the right place for me.”

Prior to joining VCU, the Quito, Ecuador native was the Executive Director of Tennis at SportsQuest Tennis Academy in Richmond, Va., while also serving as tennis pro and Junior Academy Director at Willow Oaks Country Club.

In college, Stiegwardt transferred after his sophomore season from Florida to Georgia State where he was the Panthers’ No. 1 singles and doubles player and led the team to the 2007 Colonial Athletic Association championship. Stiegwardt was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Performer. That same year, he was part of the highest team ranking in Georgia State’s history (No. 33), while also holding the program’s best-ever singles and doubles rankings.

During his prep days, Stiegwardt was ranked as high as No. 40 in singles and No. 24 in doubles by the International Tennis Federation. In addition to playing in the Davis Cup in 2002, he competed in Wimbledon and Roland Garros junior events and was the national singles and doubles champion in the Under-12, 14, 16 and 18 age groups in Ecuador.

Stiegwardt graduated from Georgia State in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and was named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll while receiving the CAA Commissioner’s Award during his final two years at GSU.

“I am thrilled for the future here at Auburn and to make a big impact in the SEC and in the national rankings,” Stiegwardt said. “I want to thank Coach Shore for giving me the opportunity and to all the athletic administrators who have been very welcoming since I arrived on campus.”

The Auburn men’s tennis team has played in three events so far this fall, but will not be back on the courts until Nov. 1 when it begins play at the UNLV Larry Easley Memorial in Las Vegas, Nev.